Towering defender Kaspars Gorkss arrived at Madejski Stadium in August 2011 from Queen Park Rangers, fresh from steering Neil Warnock's men to the Championship title in the previous campaign.
Proved to be an instant hit with the Royals; forming a solid partnership with Alex Pearce and rarely putting a foot wrong in the heart of defence, becoming arguably the first name on Brian McDermott's teamsheet.
Scored a vital header against West Ham in March 2012 - helping him on the way to pick up his second consecutive Championship winners medal.
The Latvian captains his country and had played in 42 of the R's 46 league games as they won the league in 2010/11 - helping them to the best defensive record in the division with 25 clean sheets, including a run of 638 minutes without conceding a goal for club and country.
Kaspars started his career in his homeland with FK Auda, before beginning to make his name elsewhere in Europe with an impressive three year spell in Sweden.
He returned to Latvia in 2006 to join one of the country's biggest clubs, Ventspils, whom he also led to a league title and qualification for the UEFA Cup. Resulting clashes with Newcastle United helped attract attention from a number of English clubs, and the centre half eventually signed for Blackpool - spending two successful years with the Seasiders before moving to Loftus Road.
Made 17 appearances for the Royals in 2012/13 before signing a three-month loan deal with Championship side Wolves in February 2013.